Hello, let me introduce myself first..
For the first 30 years of my life, everything was smooth and worry-free. I was my parents’ most beloved child, found my true love in college, and happily married him after graduation.
At work, I was my boss’s most valued employee. Whenever I was in charge of a project, colleagues would inevitably say, “Oh, then I’m totally at ease.” I was constantly named “Employee of the Year,” with generous bonuses every year.
Later, I started my own business. Within just three months, I had broken into the market and started making money. By the fifth month, I was earning twice my previous salary. Growth was steady month after month. Right when the business needed more hands, I serendipitously met an amazing partner, and the company reached a whole new level.
Really, it seemed like at every step, whatever I needed, a pair of hands would always place it right in front of me, just in time.
My Two Girls: Ellie & Mia
Meet Ellie, My Firstborn
In 2020, my husband and I decided to have a child. After trying for over a year, we finally got the news in 2021 that a little one was on the way. In 2022, we welcomed our first child, Ellie. She made me a mother.
She is utterly adorable—big eyes, rosy skin, chubby little hands. Every time I look at her, I can’t help but give her a kiss. She is pure joy, and I love her more each day.
But as a first-time mom, I faced unprecedented difficulties. The postpartum tearing wouldn’t heal, and the pain was excruciating. Clogged milk ducts made my breasts hard as rocks. The severe sleep deprivation… And what was even more crushing was that, with zero parenting experience, I was clueless when faced with her unexplained wailing, night terrors, refusal to nurse, constipation, diarrhea, fevers… I desperately searched online, longing for one accurate, truly useful answer!
It was during this time that I thought, once I make it through this “dark” path, I must leave a light on for other new moms.
And Then Came Mia
Ellie had just turned one when I got pregnant again. In 2024, we welcomed our second daughter, Mia.
Completely different from Ellie, Mia is a great eater and sleeper. Although she had her fussy moments in the first two months, starting almost from month three, she became super easygoing. She feeds on schedule, gradually sleeps through the night, loves her solid foods, and adapted quickly when I had to stop breastfeeding due to mastitis.
This made me realize just how vastly different babies can be! It made me even more determined to write about my experiences.
Why I Had to Start This Blog
The Catalyst: A Life Pivoted
After Mia was born, my business also began to decline sharply. I had no choice but to close it and become a full-time mom. My work no longer involves Excel and Word, but instead revolves around changing diapers, washing bottles, making baby food, and managing household chores…
This has been a monumental challenge for me. All my past achievements seem irrelevant now. Managing two young children has brought me a sense of frustration I’ve never known before.
The Daily Reality
They are always fighting over things. When one is in my arms, the other immediately demands to be held too. When I try to cook, Ellie wants me to read her a book. When I attempt to load the washing machine, Mia has a diaper blowout, and I must drop everything to change her…
By the time I finish all that, I see the cup of hot coffee on the table has gone cold again. And it’s not until evening that I remember, “Oh my goodness, the clothes are still in the hamper, unwashed!”
Of course, being a mom is filled with happiness, but that doesn’t negate how hard it is.
My Promise to You
Because I’ve walked this path myself, I won’t just tell you how joyful motherhood is, like many websites do. I want to share my real, unfiltered experiences so every new mom can find a “companion” here.
I want to tell you: you are not alone. What you’re going through, I’ve been there too. Your breakdowns, your helplessness, your moments of losing control—I’ve had them all. You don’t need to feel guilty. This is just a small, necessary stretch of the journey for every mom.
My Hope for This Space
I really want to share my parenting experiences—not just the warm, glowing moments, but to honestly document the pitfalls I’ve stumbled into, the tears I’ve shed, and the “survival wisdom” I’ve scraped together in utter exhaustion.
The Goal: A Mom’s Toolkit
I hope this blog becomes a “mom’s toolkit,” filled not with vague theories, but with:
- Practical Tips: Like how to quickly figure out why a baby is crying, tried-and-true methods for dealing with clogged ducts, or how to efficiently manage the daily grind with twins (or two under two) solo.
- Pitfall Avoidance Guides: Sharing the baby products I regret buying the most, and those “game-changer” parenting hacks. Letting you know which parenting anxieties you can let go of, and which principles are worth holding onto.
- A Community for Moms: I hope my stories connect me with more moms like you. We can cheer each other on in the comments, share our own tricks, turning the storms we face alone into a journey we walk together.
The Bigger Vision
My previous career taught me to analyze data, solve problems, and optimize processes. Now, I’m applying all those skills to this new “position” of Mom. I want to prove that a mom’s value is absolutely not confined to the home. The mindset, resilience, and creativity we built in our careers can shine just as brightly—perhaps even brighter—in this more complex, long-term “project” of raising humans, and can even be transformed into a force that helps others.
My hope is simple: that every mom who opens this blog can let out a sigh of relief and say, “So it’s not just me.” Then, she can find a bit of practical info, a dose of comforting solidarity, and return to her sweet, chaotic mom-life with a little more confidence and a little less weight on her shoulders.
This road? Let’s walk it together.
Re: UO
My UO: I get my panties in a wad when people with no real education think they've outsmarted scientists again. I'm glad you saved yourself from the flu shot poison all these doctors and researchers are pushing. I hope your opinions & anecdotes will cure you when you're sick as hell.
Yeah, I get annoyed with the "no vac" movement. What I hate even more is when they use the excuse, "We are all doing what we think is best for our kids..." Only they aren't just putting their own kid at risk. Those people who don't vaccinate their kids are also putting all of the kids who are too young to have full immunity or who truly can't get vaccines (i.e. autoimmune compromised like when receiving chemo) at risk, too.
Edit: clarity
2011: FSH 13.3 & E 99; AMH 0.54 2nd FSH 6.2 E 40's AFC: 8
BFP from Clomid/IUI ~ Pre-e and IUGR during pregnancy ~ DS born 9/4/12
Feb./March 2013: AMH less than 0.16 (undectable) and AFC = 4;
BFP from supps ~ DS#2 due May 2014
May 2014 January Siggy Challenge:
DD born 2/3/03
BFP 3/21/13 w/ EDD 12/02/13, C/P 3/29/13.
BFP 9/18/13 w/ EDD 5/26/14,
Beta #1 @ 14-16dpo = 375, progesterone 33.6
Beta #2 @ 20-22 dpo = 8,782!
Beta #3 @ 27-29dpo = 44,230, dx subchorionic hemorrhage/ threatened mc
Beta #4 @ 29-31dpo = 72, 080
Grow, little one, grow!
***** All AL Welcome *****
@honey740 I haven't apologized for having my opinion, nor would I just as you wouldn't. I have said I wish I had no reason to doubt ... but no apologies
guess that makes me more BSC in your opinion?
@Allibob I was wondering when someone would jump on me for the flu shot thing.
Thanks for the negative wishes!
Mary (33) and Michael (33)
Diagnosed with PCOS in 2002, Married 4/10/10 TTC #1 June 2011; LAP and tubes flushed in Dec
2012: 6 Clomid Cycles, all BFN; RE consult Nov 2012: SIS (all clear)
2013: 3 Femara Cycles with IUI, all BFN August 2013: Follistim/Ovidrel = 3 Follies, IUI on 8/29.
BFP!!!!! 1st Beta = 204 on 9/12/13 2nd Beta = 774 on 9/15/13!!
First U/S 10/1/13 - It's TWINS!!!!
Maybe it's an UO in and of its self, but it makes me angry to think about the money people pour into pink crap when they have no idea where that money goes. There are lots of other even deadlier cancers out there that are severely under funded. It's great that people want to donate money, but research your causes carefully and know where your dollars are being spent.
Nora - 10.26.12
Henry - 5.9.14
2. I'm absolutely with you on the pink crap. I refuse to buy any of it.
Yeah, but it's so hard to sexify other cancers. No one wants to put "Save the poop shoots" bumper stickers on their car.
Edited to get rid of the ridiculous response thread.
I wonder if they have found a cure for diabetes too. I mean they raise thousands of dollars a year also. I am assuming not though since I am still taking insulin on a daily basis. Just because they raise money doesn't mean they have found a cure and they are hiding it.
Nora - 10.26.12
Henry - 5.9.14
Edited to get rid of the ridiculous response thread.
If I didn't find bumper stickers in general to be tacky I would totally put a save the poop shoots sticker on my car!! But I have a weird sense of humor (not calling cancer funny but the phrase poop shoot) like that.
Unable to even.
********************
You don't understand the appeal of Benedict Cumberbatch / think he's fug / don't know who he is? WATCH SHERLOCK. Until you do, your negative opinion of him will not be taken seriously.
Off BC, NTNP since June 2011
Started acupuncture/herbs July 2012
First BFP 9-8-2012,EDD 5-15-2013, heartbeat of 175 at 8w2d, mmc discovered on 10-26-12 (11w6d) Cytotec on 10/26/12
8/23/13 DX with non-IR PCOS
Second BFP 9.12.13, EDD 5.29.14, heartbeat of 114 at 6w1d, mmc discovered on 10-18-13, D&C on 10/23/13 (baby girl/Trisomy 10)
Third BFP (surprise at Beta draw after d&c) on 1/10/14 (15dpo), EDD 9.20.14 Please be our RAINBOW!
=D> You took the words right out of my mouth!
@awc1986 and others about Obamacare:
I agree on the Obamacare! And I am so flipping tired of all of my right-wing, nut job friends/family members posting this ridiculous ish on facebook with this made up crap showing how Obamacare is 500 times more expensive for this small cohort of people...and, of course, this all came out before the ACA rates were even available so you know it is based on lies. DH and I just got our ACA quotes and it will save us half of what we were previously paying...and that was when we were both in excellent health with no pre-existing conditions. Previously, in excellent health, we were paying over $1400 per month for three of us. Now, for similar coverage, it will cost us $724. (And the two scenarios aren't even comparing apples to apples because we now have pre-existing conditions that completely prevented us from getting certain coverage prior to the ACA that we didn't have when we were paying $1400 per month!) That may seem high, but it is for 3 people with a low deductible, no max, low OOP expenses, etc. We could get a plan much cheaper if we went with a high deductible plan.
Oh, and my DH's office manager who is early 60's and was previously uninsurable was able to get coverage (with a high deductible) for $90-something a month under the ACA.
So how is this bad again? Creating a marketplace where self-insured individuals can actually get affordable care? You tell me. Ugh
PS - I am not even anti-republican. But some of my relatives are truly are right-wing, planning-for-the-end-of-civilization, nut jobs.
2011: FSH 13.3 & E 99; AMH 0.54 2nd FSH 6.2 E 40's AFC: 8
BFP from Clomid/IUI ~ Pre-e and IUGR during pregnancy ~ DS born 9/4/12
Feb./March 2013: AMH less than 0.16 (undectable) and AFC = 4;
BFP from supps ~ DS#2 due May 2014
May 2014 January Siggy Challenge:
Nora - 10.26.12
Henry - 5.9.14
09/23/11 - Married DH
04/01/13 - BFP at 4wks
05/30/13 - MMC - BO @ 12wks 5d
08/29/13 - BFP @ 4wks 4d
09/17/13 - 7wks 2d - Normal HB Detected! Baby measuring perfect for dates and positioning!
10/23/13 - 12wks 3d - Perfect NT scan! HB 167 & baby wriggling, waving & yawning!
12/17/13 - 20wks 2 d - We're having a beautiful baby girl! Go Team Pink!
05/03/14 - Bobbie Gloria was born at 39+6 weighing 6lb 14oz!
Crap. More than 20% of my pay goes to the government now! And that doesn't include healthcare!
2011: FSH 13.3 & E 99; AMH 0.54 2nd FSH 6.2 E 40's AFC: 8
BFP from Clomid/IUI ~ Pre-e and IUGR during pregnancy ~ DS born 9/4/12
Feb./March 2013: AMH less than 0.16 (undectable) and AFC = 4;
BFP from supps ~ DS#2 due May 2014
May 2014 January Siggy Challenge:
And this cancer cure bullshit is about the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.
That is all.
TTC #1 since February 2011
C/P 5W3D
Betas 8/30 (108) and 9/3 (565)
Me: 29 (3/5/13- high NK cells) DH: 28 (5/8/12- MFI low morph and motility)
Cycle #21 (IUI#1), Cycle #22 (HSG 9/21/12) and Cycle #23 (IUI#2)=
Cycle #24- December Snow Bunny IVF #1
ER 12/6/12 (14R, 11M, 9F), ET 12/9/12 transferred 2 day 3 embies
Bleeding and low betas=very cautious
Cycle #26 March Lucky Duck- FET #1
scheduled 3/20/13- CANCELLED- lining issues
Cycle #27 May Emerald- FET #1.2
delayed- Starting Trental for 3 months + natural cycles Cycle #28-30=
Cycle #31 August Shooting Star- FET #1.3
transferred 1 hatching blast 8/21/13=
U/S 9/19/13- HR is 128! U/S #2 10/4/13- HR is 174!
It's a BOY!
That is NOT your baby. It's the freaking burrito you ate for lunch!
I do love the word "blump" though. And I have posted "blump" photo.
TTC #1 since 10/2012.
BFP#1 11/28/12, MC, BFP #2 CP
BFP #3 10/21/2013, EDD 7/3/2014
Beta #1 (4W6D): 1768 Beta #2 (5W1D): 5255
1st US at 6W4D HB of 112 BPM!
1/20/2014: IT'S A GIRL!
6/30/2014: Happy birthday baby M!
I'm a pretty conservative Republican and I strongly believe in the right to bear arms and most Republicans i know defend that right. I do not know as much about the ACA as I probably should, because I am not a political person and don't do as much research as I could/should so I'm not going to comment on it. But I don't believe that Republicans should be lumped together as gun slinging, assault rifle hoarding, anti Obama, screw the ACA type people.